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Settling in

Settling in Toronto

Toronto is quickly tamed, as long as you follow the right order: everyone's permits at the border, the Social Insurance Number, the OHIP health card, the consular register, then housing near the school and transport. Here is what we would have liked to know before arriving, checked against Canadian, Ontario and consular official sources.

Verified on 31 October 2026

Arrival and first steps

To settle in Canada, the working parent arrives with a work permit obtained before departure; partner and children each have their own status. The Toronto consulate covers Ontario and Manitoba, and registration with the consular register is done entirely online.

Good to know

  • The partner can get an open work permit if the principal parent works in a TEER 0 or 1 job, or in certain skilled TEER 2 and 3 occupations listed by IRCC. Since January 2025, dependent children of workers are no longer eligible. Source
  • A minor child does not need a study permit for preschool, primary or secondary school if one parent is authorised to work or study in Canada. IRCC still recommends a study permit, useful to keep studying after age 18. Source
  • At the border, have an immigration document issued in each child's name (visitor record or study permit): a child allowed to study without a permit must hold a visitor record, and this document will be requested for school and the health card. Source
  • Registration with the register of French nationals abroad is free, valid 5 years and done online on service-public.fr: French ID card or passport, proof of residence in Canada and a recent photo. You can link your partner and children to it. Source
  • Week 1, in order: Social Insurance Number (SIN) for whoever is working, OHIP health card application in person at a ServiceOntario centre for the whole family, bank account, mobile plan, then registration with Health Care Connect to find a family doctor. Source
  • The Centre francophone du Grand Toronto supports French-speaking newcomers for free (orientation, jobs, housing, health); some IRCC-funded programmes are reserved for permanent residents. Source

Addresses

  • Consulat général de France à Toronto

    Consulate

    2 Bloor Street East, suite 2200, M4W 1A8

    On the 22nd floor of the Hudson's Bay Centre, above Bloor-Yonge station. Open to the public Monday to Thursday 9am to 12:45pm and 2:15pm to 4:15pm, Friday 9am to 12:45pm; consular questions (except visas) go through France Consulaire.

    Website Source

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Where to live and how to rent

French families gather around the two accredited schools: TFS in Lawrence Park and the Lycée français at Eglinton and Dufferin. The rental market is tight, especially for houses: choose the school's neighbourhood first, then the home.

Good to know

  • Toronto is Canada's second most expensive city for housing, after Vancouver, and many owners prefer to sell their house rather than rent it out: family houses to rent are scarce. Source
  • For most private rentals, the landlord must use Ontario's standard lease, written in plain language: rent, what is included, building rules. Source
  • The landlord can ask for a rent deposit, at most one month's rent, applied to the last month; it cannot be used as a damage deposit. Source
  • For most tenants, the yearly rent increase is capped by a rate set each year by the province (1.9% for 2027). Source
  • The lease can require tenant liability insurance and proof of it; insuring your belongings remains your choice. Source
  • Prepare a strong file: employer letter, bank statements, references. Without a Canadian credit history, some landlords ask for several months paid upfront; never pay before visiting and signing the standard lease. Disputes go to the Landlord and Tenant Board. Source

Addresses

  • Lawrence Park et Bedford Park

    Neighbourhood

    Large houses, wooded ravines and quiet streets around TFS's main campus (306 Lawrence Avenue East). The most sought-after area for TFS families, with some of the highest rents.

    Source

  • Leaside et Davisville

    Neighbourhood

    Family houses, parks and shops, halfway between TFS and downtown; subway Line 1 (Davisville and Eglinton stations) serves the area.

    Source

  • Forest Hill et Cedarvale

    Neighbourhood

    Green residential areas close to the Lycée français de Toronto (2327 Dufferin Street), with the Cedarvale ravine for walks. Expensive houses, a few more affordable buildings.

    Source

  • Yonge-Eglinton

    Neighbourhood

    Many towers and flats, the subway and shops at the foot of the buildings. Handy between the two schools, for families happy with a flat.

    Source

  • The Annex, High Park et Roncesvalles

    Neighbourhood

    Victorian houses and neighbourhood life west of downtown, near High Park and subway Line 2. For living close to the centre; expect longer commutes to TFS or the Lycée français.

    Source

  • Mississauga (Port Credit, Lakeview)

    Neighbourhood

    On the lakeshore, west of Toronto, close to TFS's west campus (1293 Meredith Avenue, from preschool to grade 7). More space for the price, but a car becomes essential.

    Source

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Phone and insurance

Mobile plans are expensive and carriers and insurers alike check your Canadian credit history; car insurance is compulsory in Ontario.

Good to know

  • Mobile plans cost much more than in France: compare the budget brands of the big carriers, and keep your French number for banking codes.
  • Car insurance is mandatory in Ontario and your French driving record is usually not taken into account; a broker helps compare, and bundling car and home often lowers the price. Source
  • Private health insurance covers what OHIP does not (dentist, physio, adults' glasses); it is often provided by the employer. Expatriates can also join the Caisse des Français de l'étranger. Source

Banking and money

Opening an account is simple with your passport and permit; the slow part is building a Canadian credit history. Day to day, people pay with an Interac debit card, often contactless, and pay each other back by Interac e-Transfer.

Good to know

  • In Canada, you have the right to open a personal bank account without a job or initial deposit, with accepted ID; the major banks have newcomer offers. Source
  • ID must be originals: either two documents from the accepted list, one with your name and address and one with your name and date of birth (a foreign passport qualifies), or a single document confirmed by a trusted person such as a customer of the bank. Plan to visit a branch. Source
  • The social insurance number (SIN) is only required for an interest-bearing account, so that the bank can report the interest to the tax authorities; a chequing account opens without it. Banks that signed a voluntary commitment offer a no-cost account to temporary and permanent residents in their first year in Canada. Source
  • Your French credit history does not follow you: in Canada it is held by two agencies, Equifax and TransUnion, and starts from scratch. Some lenders will look at a foreign credit report in a meeting with an adviser; a credit card used and paid off every month gets your file started. Source
  • Day to day, people pay with an Interac debit card, inserted or contactless with the card, phone or watch (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay); it is accepted by businesses across the country and also works at cash machines. Source
  • Between individuals, Interac e-Transfer replaces the cheque: from your bank's app you send money to an email address or mobile number, with a security question or by Autodeposit. Nearly all Canadian banks and credit unions offer it. Source
  • Until the local account is open, your French bank card works in shops. Wise also offers its multi-currency card in Canada, useful for converting euros and sending money to or from France; compare the exchange rate applied before each large transfer, school fees for instance. Source
  • Keep your French account, useful for the costs of a home in France, but tell your bank before you leave: a 'resident' account must be converted into a 'non-resident' one, and the LEP savings account must be closed. Source

Addresses

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Getting set up

IKEA has four stores in and around Toronto: one right downtown on Yonge Street, and three large stores in North York, Etobicoke and Vaughan. Supermarkets, Costco warehouses, the big malls and classifieds do the rest.

Addresses

  • IKEA Toronto Downtown

    Furniture and home

    382 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1S9

    The downtown store, designed for small spaces; delivery offered.

    Website Source

  • IKEA North York

    Furniture and home

    15 Provost Drive, North York, ON M2K 2X9

    Large store in the north of the city, near Highway 401.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Etobicoke

    Furniture and home

    1475 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1T3

    Large store in the west of the city.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Vaughan

    Furniture and home

    200 Interchange Way, Vaughan, ON L4K 5C3

    Large store north of the Greater Toronto Area.

    Website Source

  • Loblaws

    Supermarket

    Loblaw group supermarkets; online grocery and in-store pickup with the PC Express app.

    Website Source

  • Metro

    Supermarket

    Supermarket chain in Ontario and Quebec, with online grocery shopping in its app.

    Website Source

  • Costco

    Supermarket

    Membership bulk warehouses, useful for kitting out the home and stocking up.

    Website Source

  • CF Toronto Eaton Centre

    Shopping mall

    220 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2H1

    The big downtown shopping centre, linked to the subway.

    Website Source

  • Yorkdale

    Shopping mall

    3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON M6A 2T9

    Large shopping centre in the north of the city, served by the subway.

    Website Source

  • CF Sherway Gardens

    Shopping mall

    25 The West Mall, Etobicoke, ON M9C 1B8

    Shopping centre in the west, in Etobicoke.

    Website Source

  • Best Buy

    Appliances

    Electronics and appliances, delivery and installation offered.

    Website Source

  • Kijiji

    Second-hand

    Canada's big classifieds site: second-hand furniture, strollers, appliances.

    Website Source

  • Facebook Marketplace

    Second-hand

    Person-to-person classifieds, widely used for furniture.

    Website Source

  • Toronto Accueil, petites annonces

    Second-hand

    The classifieds of Toronto's French-speaking welcome association.

    Website Source

Getting around with children

The TTC subway, streetcars and buses cover the city well, and children travel free. In the suburbs, the car quickly takes over.

Good to know

  • Children aged 12 and under ride free on the TTC; from 13, everyone taps their own PRESTO card, bank card or phone. Source
  • With PRESTO or a bank card, monthly fare capping applies: beyond a certain number of trips in the month, the next ones are free. Source
  • With a stroller, the TTC asks you to use the elevator rather than the escalator; not every station has one, check the TTC website before you go. Source
  • Children aged 12 and under also ride free on GO Transit trains and buses, handy for trips to Niagara or the suburbs. Source
  • You can drive for 60 days on your French licence after moving, then you must exchange it: France is one of the countries whose licences Ontario exchanges without a test. Source
  • Car seats must carry the Canadian safety standard mark: a seat bought in France may not be allowed. Downtown, many families live without a car; in Lawrence Park, Leaside or Mississauga, a car makes daily life easier. Source

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Admin, taxes and the consulate

Two numbers matter: the SIN to work and the OHIP health card for healthcare. For taxes, the tax year follows the calendar year.

Good to know

  • The 9-digit Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to work and access benefits; apply online, by mail or in person at Service Canada, and it is no longer issued as a card. Source
  • The OHIP health card is applied for in person at a ServiceOntario centre with the registration form and three original documents: immigration status, Ontario residence and identity. There is no longer a waiting period. Source
  • As a Canadian tax resident, you file your worldwide income each year with the Canada Revenue Agency by April 30 of the following year; your employer deducts tax at source. Source
  • The Canada Child Benefit, a tax-free monthly payment, helps families with children under 18; newcomers can qualify depending on their status and residence. Source
  • The consulate handles passports, ID cards, civil registration, elections and consular protection; it does not intervene in work permits, permanent residence or health coverage, which are matters for Canada and Ontario. Source
  • The consulate provides neither legal aid nor translation, but publishes a list of French-speaking lawyers, translators and doctors in its district. Source

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Budget: what changes compared with France

Housing takes the lion's share of the budget. In return, public French-language school, public healthcare and children's transport are free.

Good to know

  • Housing costs far more than in France, often double or more for a family house in the neighbourhoods near the French schools. Source
  • Childcare fees are going down in licensed centres taking part in the Canada-wide programme, but places are scarce: put your child on waiting lists as early as possible. Source
  • Public French-language schools of the Viamonde and MonAvenir boards are free; TFS and the Lycée français charge fees (see our School fees pages).
  • With OHIP, doctor visits and hospital care are free, and OHIP+ covers many prescription drugs up to age 24 for those without private insurance. The dentist is not covered, but one eye exam a year is, up to age 19. Source
  • Transit is free for under-13s, which noticeably lightens the budget of a family living without a car. Source
  • Mobile phone, internet, car insurance and everyday groceries cost noticeably more than in France; so do restaurants, with taxes and a 15 to 20% tip.

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A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Toronto will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Consulat général de France à Toronto
  2. 2 Consulat, vivre en Ontario et au Manitoba
  3. 3 IRCC, permis de travail ouvert des membres de la famille
  4. 4 Ontario, demander l'OHIP et la carte santé
  5. 5 TTC, tarifs et titres
  6. 6 Toronto Accueil, se loger à Toronto
  7. 7 ACFC, ouvrir un compte bancaire
  8. 8 Interac, le Virement Interac

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